White Wine?

Although not as widely planted globally as red, white wine grapes are now grown in a huge number of countries and regions around the world. White wine also vary enormously in terms of style - from the incredibly concentrated and sweet Semillons of the Sauternes region in France through to dry Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand. The only difference in the way white wine is produced versus red wine is that red wine absorbs red colour and tannic from being left in contact with the red grape skins in the fermentation process.

The major white wine varieties are: Chardonnay - the world's favorite white wine. Sauvignon Blanc - which originated in the Loire Valley of France, although New Zealand has now taken this grape to new heights in the cool Marlborough region, producing racy wines with tropical fruit and gooseberry flavors. Gewurtztraminer - one of the hardest wines to pronounce, yet one of the easiest to drink. "Gewurz," meaning "spicy" in German is an apt indication of the wine's character and zest. Pinot Blanc - Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris - Italy's most popular white wine produced from the Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris grape varietal. Riesling - Germany's greatest grape has made a name for itself in the modern wine market. Easy to pair with a wide-variety of foods and relatively easy to grow, make this wine a popular choice for wine connoisseurs and wine masters alike, and Chenin Blanc.